Humor and Social Mobilization in the Maghrib: The Case of Algeria

This presentation suggests that humor plays a critical role in the building of social non-movements. It will do so through an analysis of the role of humor in the Middle East and North Africa’s first mass uprising resulting in a move towards democracy: Algeria’s October 1988 Revolution. Humor-infused cultural symbols and products, many inspired by regional and global events, appear to have convinced groups across the political spectrum to mobilize and take action based on ideological affiliations and strong beliefs about the ordering of power in the country. The talk will also consider how humor reflected a wider range of emotions during October 1988 than scholars have previously examined, adding to a broader effort to re-think the significance of this pivotal moment in the history of the region.